What I want (this is probably hard for most to answer, as this is a very unique setup) is to have two different streams (this means audio splitter is not an option, as it will still only be one stream) of audio - one through the headphones and one through the main speakers. I can do the audio rerouting using virtual audio cables, however the problem is this: i cannot get both headphones AND speakers to play even just one stream, let alone two seperate ones. using "split front and back audio into seperate streams is not an option, as the actual MB F_PANEL is faulty (nothing to do with the case front panel, just so you know. that works fine)

So, first things first. I need it to recognise the headphones as a seperate audio device so that Virtual Audio Cables will detect it and allow me to route the necessary audio to the headphones only. I also need to be able have sound play through speakers and headphones together

what i want to achieve overall, is this:

have the ENTIRE computer's sounds picked up by VAC, and stream them to Line1. then have Line1 stream to the headphones. that way whatever's being streamed is heard through the headphones, while the entire system sounds (including those not streamed) are played through speakers.

What's your actual aim here? There may be a simpler solution. Do you want to have music playing on your speakers and something like Skype through the headphones? You're motherboard probably has inbuilt HD sound already, likely what your using so honestly the easiest soltion is going to spend $10 on an older SoundBlaster card so you have two devices shown on your system.
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AmicableAug 29 '12 at 10:23

actually my aim is tohave say a skype call playing whatever is being streamed to my default communication device (in this case Line 1, virtual device created by VAC) playing through my headphones, while anything else, such as error message sound, or incoming skype instant message through the speakers (different audio stream). in order to do that, i need the computer to see headphones and speakers as two audio devices. also, wouldn't an addon sound card disable the onboard one?
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Sylvester the CatAug 29 '12 at 10:38

No, it would be fine you would just have more devices to choose from. I'm going to post this as an answer now I understand you're question better.
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AmicableAug 29 '12 at 10:55

1 Answer
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Your motherboard probably has built-in HD sound already, likely what you're using so honestly the easiest solution is going to spend $10 on an older SoundBlaster card so you have two devices shown on your system.

Two add-on cards will not disable the onboard one, you just need both sets of drivers installed. They just have different applications to manage individually such as equalisation.
I use Skype (to headphones via built-in) + Music (to speakers via card) like this on my home system.

Which sounds are played to which are set by individual applications, music players and other sound focused applications like skype, always allow you to select their output device somewhere in the settings.

Thank you very much! works great! sorry I took so long to accept, I could never get it too work no matter what I tried! Windows is strange, all I did to make it work (after not bothering about it for over a month cos I gave up) was right-click - update driver. peripherals + drivers + windows = tend to be weird. EDIT: I didn't need to buy a soundcard, I had one lying around. it's ancient but heck it works!
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Sylvester the CatOct 29 '12 at 8:57